How and why you should take your kids fishing
by Jordan Balbresky 5 Jul 2021 20:21 BST
Kids fishing with Rebekka Redd © Rebekka Redd
As the snow starts to melt and the ice thaws, it's time to get back out on the water. For many that means unpacking their boats from winter storage, going through vessel safety checks, and prepping for any planned maintenance for the coming season.
In all the excitement of getting back on the water, one thing that can sometimes get neglected is the boater education of your family and crew. You have to mentally prepare for your time on the water and there is no time like the present—particularly when it comes to teaching your children.
I recently had the opportunity to chat with an expert in teaching kids the passion of fishing, Rebekka Redd. An accomplished fly angler, Rebekka has nearly 20 years of storytelling gathered from travelling around the globe following her passion. Her lifelong obsession is catching massive northern pike and her personal best is 51-inches—on the fly! I asked her to share some of the benefits of getting kids involved when they're young. Here's what she had to say:
I grew up fishing with my brothers for walleye, bass, and pike in local waters and my family has always been close. In life, it's easy to take the ones you love for granted, but I look back on those times as some of my favorites. I have to say that I've been enjoying fishing with family more and more since I got my new Alumacraft. Not only is being out on the boat a blast for everyone, but it also makes it easy and safe to bring my young nieces and nephew who aren't ready to join me wading in a river. Even if we aren't catching fish, the kids are still excited to ride on auntie Bekks' boat!
Here are four reasons to get your children fishing:
1) Fishing builds self-esteem
Fishing can be as simple or as complex as a person makes it, from sitting on the bank waiting for a bobber to dunk under to seining a river for insects and selecting just the right fly to catch rising trout during a hatch. The great thing is, at every level there are problems to solve and things to learn. That's why fishing is such a wonderful activity for kids.
It may be helpful for first-timers or very young children if you do most of the work for them at first. Choose a good spot, bait the hook, cast out, and maybe even hook the fish. Let them reel in the catch so they get the thrill of it all—now you'll see who's really hooked! Soon you'll have them baiting their own hooks and making their own casts, patiently waiting for a strike. It has been amazing to watch this transformation happen with my young nieces. In only a few trips they have become totally independent anglers.
Trying something new like fishing gets kids out of their normal comfort zone and learning to do it on their own builds their self-esteem. As they become more interested, they can learn all kinds of new skills from tying different knots to learning about fish behavior or reading the water. Each new skill is a lesson in problem solving, and the more they learn, the more prepared they are to apply those lessons to real-world problems.
2) Fishing helps kids unplug from outside world distractions
You hear it so much it has almost become a cliché, but that doesn't make it any less true. TV, video games, and other technology can be detrimental to a healthy individual or family if these things get in the way of personal interaction. We are on the water to spend time with one another and enjoy the world around us. Help your family connect with the most important things in life by unplugging from all distractions.
3) Fishing helps kids stay on the right track
Self-confidence, a fun and happy childhood, strong family bonds, the ability to focus on what is important—all of these wonderful benefits of fishing are also the very things that keep kids and young adults on the right track as they navigate the growing pains of life. By working from the beginning to foster a strong connection, a deep bond, and an open dialog with your kids, you establish trust that will be vital when they begin their journey to adulthood.
4) Fishing brings families closer through positive experiences
Family time on the water creates fond memories. The fresh air, sense of adventure, and scenery are more than enough to create a positive foundation for building happy memories. Add to that the fun of exploring new places, learning the water, operating the boat, and working to catch fish as a team and you have an activity that can provide many positive moments as well as lessons to draw from. Even when the fishing is slow, during the quiet times is a perfect time to laugh and chat with family. Experiencing fishing and all the fun that comes with it are what builds a stronger bond. Just make sure to keep things light and fun!
To find out more about Rebekka Redd and her tips and tricks to passing on the passion of fishing, visit rebekkareddflyfishing.com.
"No matter if it's in a boat, on a trout stream, or hiking to a back country lake, the whole point of fishing is getting out and enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer and enjoying real quality time with family and friends." - Rebekka Redd.
Tips when taking your kids fishing:
- Keep snacks on hand
- Pack appropriate protection for you and your kids like sunscreen, rain gear, and properly fitting Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs).
- Make sure you check with your local DNR to make sure you abide by any local rules regarding licensing and bag limits.
- Give plenty of time for side adventures. Catching frogs is almost as much fun as catching fish.
- Remember to keep the fishing for the kids, it's best to set aside your wants and focus on playing "guide."